Interview preparation guide
Asking about ancillary support and scut work: residency interview preparation guide
AAMC's clinical-duties questions ask what ancillary support is available, such as phlebotomy, respiratory therapy and social workers, and whether residents feel they are involved in too much non-educational activity.
How to prepare
- 1
Ask what ancillary support exists
The AAMC list asks what type of ancillary support is available and names phlebotomy, respiratory therapy and social workers as examples. Ask which of these exist at the program rather than whether support exists in general.
- 2
Ask residents about non-educational work
The list asks whether residents express that they are involved in too much non-educational activity, and its questions for residents ask whether there is enough ancillary support to minimize scut. Put this to residents directly, as AAMC intends.
- 3
Ask for a recent example
AAMC says to ask administrators and residents for specific examples that give a true understanding of the program. Ask residents to describe a recent heavy day and who did the non-educational tasks.
A practical exercise
Ancillary services present: [..]. Resident view on scut: [..]. Recent example: [..]. Source: [resident or leader].
This is an editorial exercise to adapt to your own interview, not a script or a program requirement.
What the source guidance supports
AAMC's clinical-duties questions cover ancillary support such as phlebotomy, respiratory therapy and social workers, and whether residents are involved in too much non-educational activity; its questions for residents ask whether ancillary support is enough to minimize scut.
The exercises and checklists are editorial applications of the cited guidance, not required program procedures or predictions of interview outcomes. Costs and formats vary by program, so follow your actual invitation and school guidance.
Mistakes to avoid
- Accepting a list of services without asking residents how it feels.
- Asking only leaders about a question AAMC aims at residents.
- Treating one resident's account as formal policy.
Check your preparation
- Did I ask which specific services exist?
- Did residents answer the scut question themselves?
- Did I hear a recent example?
Questions for your practice review
- Which ancillary services does the program have?
- Do residents feel scut work is minimized?
- What does a heavy service day look like?
Common questions
Is this an official list of required questions?
No. AAMC describes it as a list created by residents and students to help you assess fit, and says to build your own more specific questions from it.
Who should I ask?
AAMC says some questions are best answered by residents in the program. Ask a program leader which services exist, then ask residents how much non-educational work remains.
Is this current for the 2027 ERAS season?
AAMC publishes this question list as current guidance for applicants interviewing in the 2027 ERAS season. Program answers change year to year, so ask each program for its own current answer.
Related guides
Sources
This page is general editorial guidance based on the sources above. It is not a prediction of any program's questions or a statement of its current policies.